Pharmacy Giant Walgreens Sued by DOJ for Allegedly Dispensing Millions of Unlawful Prescriptions
A Decade of Negligence
The Department of Justice has taken legal action against Walgreens, accusing the pharmacy giant of knowingly dispensing millions of unlawful prescriptions over the past decade. According to the DOJ, Walgreens filled prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were not valid, and/or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice.
Red Flags Ignored
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton stated that Walgreens pharmacists filled millions of prescriptions with clear red flags indicating they were highly likely to be unlawful. The company allegedly pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly, without taking the time to confirm their validity. This led to millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances being illegally distributed from Walgreens stores.
Tragic Consequences
The DOJ alleges that some Walgreens patients died of overdose deaths shortly after receiving invalid prescriptions filled at Walgreens. The 300-page lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, seeks to hold Walgreens accountable for its negligence.
Walgreens’ Response
Walgreens has responded to the lawsuit, stating that it is seeking clarification on the responsibilities of pharmacies and pharmacists. The company claims that the government is trying to enforce arbitrary rules that do not appear in any law or regulation and never went through an official rulemaking process.
Prioritizing Profits Over Safety
The lawsuit alleges that Walgreens prioritized profits over safety and compliance by implementing policies and practices that prevented its pharmacists from exercising their responsibility. The company’s metrics, such as “Verify By Promise Time” and “Non-dispensing Pharmacist Report,” allegedly encouraged pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly, compromising their ability to ensure the validity of the prescriptions.
A Call to Accountability
The DOJ’s lawsuit aims to hold Walgreens accountable for its actions and ensure that pharmacies prioritize patient safety and compliance with the law. As the opioid crisis continues to affect communities across the country, it is essential that pharmacies take responsibility for their role in preventing the illegal distribution of controlled substances.
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